Randall Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 (edited) Perhaps if he stays clean. He always kept himself in good physical shape and he hasn't had contact for a few years. Maybe. How long have RB's played before their skills diminish? "His legacy as an NFL player wasn't important until his troubles started to overtake the good he had accomplished. "It was never something I thought about until it turned into a negative legacy," Williams said. "Now it's my responsibility to make the life of my family and my children better (by) leaving the game on a positive note ... I think people need to know I'm dependable." Williams figures he can put in four more seasons of pro ball. Time away from the game, from his temporary retirement to his 1 1/2-year suspension for smoking Josh Gordon and violating the NFL drug policy, probably saved his body some wear and tear. He said he feels good going into Dolphins training camp. He needed surgery to repair a pectoral muscle injured in his only game last season. He has played in only 13 games over the last four seasons. Edited June 27, 2008 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Ricky has moved on to bigger and better things... and from the looks of things, it's clearly crack... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebdog Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 those four years just passed Rick. its too bad you didn't find this dedication before now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 Ricky has moved on to bigger and better things... and from the looks of things, it's clearly crack... The guy has more lovers and haters than George Bush. But how old can running backs be before they lose skills? Have there been productive 35 year old backs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I think Marcus Allen was 33 when he came to the Chiefs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 30-1984 Payton (1684) 31-1985 Payton (1551) 32-1986 Payton (1333) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShiznit Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 How old was Otis? Anderson......the Giants running back? He was decently productive....but those were different times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 The guy has more lovers and haters than George Bush. But how old can running backs be before they lose skills? Have there been productive 35 year old backs? it's not just his age.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 (edited) it's not just his age.... This thread is about age. It's about older running backs and how long they can play. I have found some that excel at 31(Curtis Martin, Walter Payton) but haven't found any league leaders after that. Site about RBs over 30 leading their teams has increased. Edited June 27, 2008 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Who would have thought he and Parcells would be on the same page? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 This thread is about age. It's about older running backs and how long they can play. I have found some that excel at 31(Curtis Martin, Walter Payton) but haven't found any league leaders after that. Site about RBs over 30 leading their teams has increased. I always try to go for younger players and let someone else find that old vet that manages to have career/near-career numbers at the end of his career... my method works for me most of the time as long as I amable to get the players that I want.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 I always try to go for younger players and let someone else find that old vet that manages to have career/near-career numbers at the end of his career... my method works for me most of the time as long as I amable to get the players that I want.. Oh yeah. I do too but every so often someone has the year Curtis Martin did a years ago and makes a good sleeper pick. With age usually comes more threat of injury. Then I remember when Parcells took the Giants to the Super Bowl a young player said "Otis Anderson I remember an OJ Anderson that used to play for the Cardinals. I loved him when I was a kid. What happened to him? "You're lookinhg at him" "No way" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 But how old can running backs be before they lose skills? Have there been productive 35 year old backs? Ricky is a bit different due to his time off... I think he could go into his mid 30's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Oh yeah. I do too but every so often someone has the year Curtis Martin did a years ago and makes a good sleeper pick. With age usually comes more threat of injury. Then I remember when Parcells took the Giants to the Super Bowl a young player said "Otis Anderson I remember an OJ Anderson that used to play for the Cardinals. I loved him when I was a kid. What happened to him? "You're lookinhg at him" "No way" ahaha...as I said...someone else can try to get the next CuMar.... last year I snagged AD in the 4th and it was my 2nd best value in the draft aside from Big Ben in the 14th or 15th... I rather take a flier on a young player than hope an aging player comes out the woodworks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebdog Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 (edited) Ricky is a bit different due to his time off... I think he could go into his mid 30's. i really don't think it works that way. there is something to be said for a RB being spared a few carries/hits a game if he's got a good backup, but you can't cheat time regardless. but i think especially for a guy who's had limited action over the last couple years i'd be highly skeptical. and up here in Canada i was less than impressed with Williams' agility and burst in the CFL. he got injured but he was even less than impressive in short yardage. maybe his heart wasn't in the CFL but that's his M.O. he's not a driven player. i believe once he gets a little dinged he's not strong-minded enough to perservere. Emmitt Smith had incredible desire to play and break records. Ricky's only motivation is money at this point. Edited June 28, 2008 by rebdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 i really don't think it works that way. there is something to be said for a RB being spared a few carries/hits a game if he's got a good backup, but you can't cheat time regardless. but i think especially for a guy who's had limited action over the last couple years i'd be highly skeptical. and up here in Canada i was less than impressed with Williams' agility and burst in the CFL. he got injured but he was even less than impressive in short yardage. maybe his heart wasn't in the CFL but that's his M.O. he's not a driven player. i believe once he gets a little dinged he's not strong-minded enough to perservere. Emmitt Smith had incredible desire to play and break records. Ricky's only motivation is money at this point. In Miami it was Ricky and defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 lol @ Towlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Ricky is a bit different due to his time off... I think he could go into his mid 30's. I agree with this. He doesnt carry the wear backs his age usually carry and he does have natural ability. Its a shame he is such a headcase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 (edited) I agree with this. He doesnt carry the wear backs his age usually carry and he does have natural ability. Its a shame he is such a headcase Interesting. Backs have never done well after 31 but team leaders over 30 have increased lately. He has always kept himself in good physical condition. That was never his problem. When Marcus Allen was 35 he put up 1100 total yards(890 rushing 110 receiving). Edited June 29, 2008 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 How long have RB's played before their skills diminish? I think the standard is about 2000-2500 touches or age 30. Ricky has had 2009 touches and turned 31 in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 How old was Otis? Anderson......the Giants running back? He was decently productive....but those were different times. At age 29 he averaged 4.1 YPC for the Cards and had a career YPC of 4.3 up to that point. After 30, his best YPC was 3.5 and he averaged 3.2 IMO that would indicate a pretty significant decline. Every year he was with the Giants his YPC average was below that of the team as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 I agree with this. He doesnt carry the wear backs his age usually carry Priest Holmes didn't have the wear either (500 touches at age 27) but broke down at age 31, with about 1600 career touches. I really do think that age is a determining factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Priest Holmes didn't have the wear either (500 touches at age 27) but broke down at age 31, with about 1600 career touches. I really do think that age is a determining factor. Tough comparison though because head and neck issues can cut your career short no matter how much wear and tear you have. A guy like eddie george is an example of carries beating you down in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 I think the standard is about 2000-2500 touches or age 30. Ricky has had 2009 touches and turned 31 in May. The list near the top shows running backs age 30 or above who led their team. The list is growing over years past. 31 I think is about the cut off but Marcus did have 1100 total yards at age 35. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 The list near the top shows running backs age 30 or above who led their team. The list is growing over years past. 31 I think is about the cut off but Marcus did have 1100 total yards at age 35. "Leading your team" is one thing - maintaining a solid level of production is another. Warrick Dunn led the Falcons in rushing last year but only averaged 3.2 ypc and 6.5 yds/rec. To me, that indicates a drop in ability. Shaun Alexander led the Seahawks in rushing as well - at 3.5 ypc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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